Odila's Flashes & Snapshots: Banda de Ipanema

Joel and I are still here in Rio and having loads of fun! We have had memorable family moments where conversations varied from the best date to go on a catamaran cruise along the Caribbean coast of Panama to saving the world... of course that, in between the conversations, we always included some serious laughter about whatever... really cool and I'm loving it. Any of the homes are good enough for all of our encounters... but mostly we end up meeting at street cafes or restaurants to watch the carnaval stroll right before our eyes. It's really funny seeing a roman centurion walk by talking to Jack Sparrow or a nurse carefully listening to Cleopatra's story, not to mention a Jamaican reggae player having a laugh with two fellow prisoners... what a scene... so funny!

Today I bring you shots from two Blocos de Rua (explanation on my previous post called "Some pre carnaval fun"). The first one was "Azeitona sem Caroco" (seedless olive) and the second one "Banda de Ipanema" (Ipanema's band). Azeitona sem Caroco was also very family oriented, like the Bloco de Rua from last week, but... (we always have "buts" in our lives...) must tell you that I didn't find it that much fun... I thought it was just ok, but not that great.

However, after Azeitona sem Caroco, we went to be part and to photograph "Banda de Ipanema" and oh man... that was so much cool. Banda de Ipanema has become vintage in Rio's carnaval. They have been around since 1965 and today they are for sure more than a tradition in our street carnaval. I loved being there to register Banda de Ipanema pass by the streets of Ipanema and must confess that had a blast shooting the Pierrots and the geisha. Welcome to Ipanema and hope you enjoy the photos.

AZEITONA SEM CAROÇO